Woman left partially blinded in appalling assault by father-in-law who believed she had had affair

Jageer Mirgind was left partially-sighted after the attack by her father-in-law, for which he has been jailed for ten years and eight months

Jageer Mirgind was left partially-sighted after an attack by her father-in-law (Metropolitan Police)

A father-in-law has been jailed after inflicting appalling and severe injuries on a family member, almost blinding her, after flying into a crazed revenge attack over adultery that he believed that she had committed.

Manjit Mirgind, from Ilford, stabbed his daughter-in-law, 29-year-old Jageer Mirgind, several times in the face before trying to strangle her and attempting to gouge out both of her eyes in a serious assault witnessed by both of her two young children.

The attack happened on the morning of 18 December 2013 when Mirgind, a Sikh, mistakenly believed Jageer to be having an affair with a Muslim man in an attempt to break up his family, police say.

Mirgind gave himself up to police shortly after the incident and was taken to hospital by arresting police for treatment to his knee and hand, which he had sustained kicking and beating the victim.

En route to the hospital he muttered his motive, but later answered “no comment” to all questions. He was jailed for ten years and eight months on Friday after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent.

Jageer underwent surgery but has been left with permanent injuries, including partial vision in one eye and blurred vision in the other. She has also lost the use in her left wrist and now has stammers due to damaged muscles in her neck.

The attack happened in front of Manjit Mirgind's two grandchildren (Metropolitan Police)

Detective inspector John Delaney said: “The psychological effects on the victim in this case will remain long after her wounds have healed.

"When Manjit Mirgind launched this attack he was acting in the misguided name of ‘honour’, spurred on by a false belief that his daughter-in-law was having an affair with a man of another faith.

“The victim sustained an unprovoked, frenzied attack by a trusted family member in her own home which has resulted in her sustaining life changing injuries. She has shown tremendous courage and resilience in dealing with this incident which has not only affected her but two extended families within her community.”